Fluidic climate control system for a seat

ABSTRACT

A fluid-based or fluidic climate control system for a seat includes first and second portions positionable adjacent to first and second surfaces of the seat and a fluid control module (FCM) for circulating fluid in a closed-loop within the portions. The FCM delivers fluid to the portions at independently-controllable temperatures. An interface may be used to control the temperatures. The FCM may include a heat exchanger module (HEM) having a fan connected to an energy storage device (ESD). The FCM may include a miniature vapor compressor for circulating the fluid. A method of cooling a seat includes positioning first and second portions of the system adjacent to different surfaces of the seat, and using the FCM to circulate fluid within a closed-loop passage of the portions while independently controlling the temperature of the fluid, and thus the portions, using a user interface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to vehicle climate controlsystems, and more specifically to a portable climate control system forselectively heating and/or cooling different surfaces of a seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a vehicle climate control system, heating and air conditioningsystems may be used to respectively direct warm and cold air into apassenger compartment of the vehicle. Control devices in some vehiclesallow different passengers to select a desired temperature setting forthe air that is discharged from a vent located in their particularsection of the passenger compartment. Other vehicles may be equippedwith seat warming devices which pass a warming electrical currentthrough conductive coils embedded within the vehicle seat. For cooling,air ducts may be routed through the seat base to discharge cool airthrough the surfaces of the vehicle seat.

Thermoelectric systems transfer heat by applying a DC voltage to sidesof a semiconductor to create a temperature differential. A correspondingtransfer of heat occurs between the sides, which may be constructed ofdifferent materials to enhance the heat transfer effect. Thermoelectricsystems have certain size and weight advantages as they do not requireuse of a heat transfer fluid within a conventionalevaporating/condensing unit. However, the potential advantages ofthermoelectric devices when used in conjunction with a vehicle climatecontrol system may be offset by their relative energy inefficiency anddurability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a self-contained or a closed-loop climate control system isprovided for use with a seat, such as but not limited to a vehicle seat.The system is portable, i.e., it is not permanently integrated with thestructure of the seat itself, and therefore when used with a vehicleseat it may be used as an aftermarket device within more than onevehicle in order to provide a relatively energy efficient alternative toa thermoelectric-based system as described above. The system hasseparate seat and back portions each containing an internal network offlexible tubing.

A fluid control module (FCM) is connected to the seat and back portionsand may be draped in front of a vehicle seat cushion or stowedunderneath such a cushion. The FCM contains a miniature vaporcompressor, a heat exchanger module (HEM) having condensing andevaporating capabilities, and a set of control valves each automaticallyoperated in response to temperature commands transmitted from a compactuser interface. Actuation of the valves directs the fluid as needed toachieve a desired seat temperature.

The miniature compressor circulates a suitable fluid, e.g., arefrigerant such as R134a or other suitable coolant, in a closed-loopfluid circuit in the seat and back portions. When positioned adjacent todifferent surfaces or cushions of a vehicle seat, the back portion maybe immediately adjacent to the back cushion and the seat portion may beimmediately adjacent to the seat cushion. Selective heating and coolingof the back and seat portions is provided using the user interface,which allows heating or cooling of the back and seat portions together,cooling of the seat portion with heating of the back portion, or coolingof the back portion with heating of the seat portion. The system may bepowered by the vehicle's auxiliary power system in one embodiment, ormay be provided with its own power supply in another embodiment.

In particular, a climate control system for use with a seat includes afirst portion that may be positioned adjacent to a first surface of theseat, a second portion that may be positioned adjacent to a secondsurface of the seat, and an FCM operable for circulating a supply offluid within a closed-loop fluid passage within the first and secondportions. The FCM delivers the fluid to the first portion at a firsttemperature and to the second portion at a second temperature, with thefirst and second temperatures being independently controllable. The userinterface may be used to control the temperatures, and may include apair of temperature input devices, e.g., knobs or buttons, each adaptedfor controlling a temperature of a corresponding one of the back andseat portions. The FCM may include a heat exchanger module (HEM) havingan electric fan that is electrically connected to an energy storagedevice (ESD) and cooled thereby, e.g., an auxiliary vehicle power supplyor a separate battery pack. The FCM may include a miniature vaporcompressor for compressing the fluid and for circulating the fluidthrough the closed-loop fluid passage.

A method of cooling a seat includes positioning a first portion of aclimate control system adjacent to a first surface of the seat,positioning a second portion of the climate control system adjacent to asecond surface of the seat, using the FCM to circulate fluid within aclosed-loop fluid passage of the first and second portions, andindependently controlling the temperature of the fluid in the differentportions using the user interface.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages ofthe present invention will be readily apparent from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments and best modes forcarrying out the present invention when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of a vehicle having a seatthat is usable with a portable climate control system (CCS) inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustration of the portable CCS usablewithin the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustration of the portable CCS of FIG.2;

FIG. 4A is a schematic fluid circuit diagram describing fluid flow for afirst climate configuration for the portable CCS of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 4B is a schematic fluid circuit diagram describing fluid flow for asecond climate configuration for the portable CCS of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 4C is a schematic fluid circuit diagram describing fluid flow for athird climate configuration for the portable CCS of FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 4D is a schematic fluid circuit diagram describing fluid flow for afourth climate configuration for the portable CCS of FIGS. 2 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to likecomponents throughout the several views, and beginning with FIG. 1, avehicle 10 includes a body 12 defining a passenger compartment 14. Whilethe body 12 is configured as a sedan in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,the body may also be configured as a pickup truck, a sport utilityvehicle, a crossover vehicle, or any other vehicle body defining apassenger compartment 14. The vehicle 10 includes an energy storagedevice (ESD) 18 such as a 12-volt onboard auxiliary battery suitable forpowering one or more vehicle accessories aboard the vehicle 10, or apower pack separate from the auxiliary battery as described below.

Within the scope of the invention, the seat 16 may be equipped with aportable climate control system 20. The system 20 may be electricallyconnected to the ESD 18 using wires 19 or a wiring harness to providethe electrical current needed for powering the various fluid controldevices within the system 20 as set forth below. The ESD 18 may be anunder-seat power pack that is separate from the vehicle's auxiliarypower system according to one embodiment, the 12-volt auxiliary batterynoted above, or another battery pack or suitable energy source.

The surfaces of the seat 16 may be hot or cold to the touch, with thetemperature changing with the particular season. System 20 thereforeprovides a portable climate control device that is capable of coveringthe seat 16, thus allowing a user to transport the system 20 betweendifferent vehicles, or to move the system 20 between different seats 16within the same vehicle. The system 20 may be provided as optionalequipment for vehicle 10, or may be provided on an aftermarket basis foruse in vehicle 10 or any other vehicle having a seat 16. Those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that although vehicularapplications are well suited for use with the system 20, the system 20is not limited to vehicular applications, and may be used in conjunctionwith other seats, e.g., lawn chairs, theater seats, stadium seats, etc.,without departing from the intended scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment the system 20 includes a backportion 22, a seat portion 24, connecting portions 25, and a fluidcontrol module (FCM) 26. The back portion 22 and the seat portion 24 maybe placed over or positioned adjacent to a back cushion 16B and seatcushion 16A of the seat 16 as shown in FIG. 3. The system 20 may also beembodied as a single cushion without departing from the intended scopeof the invention. The system 20 may be removably connected to the seat16 to allow portability of the system between different seats 16,whether the seats are vehicle seats or other non-vehicular seats. TheFCM 26 may be electrically connected to the ESD 18 via the wires 19, andoperation of the FCM 26 may be selectively controlled by a user throughan interface 30 as described below.

The FCM 26 includes a vapor compressor (COMP) 42, a heat exchangermodule (HEM) 44, and a set of control valves (V) 46. The HEM 44 iscapable of acting as an evaporator or a condenser as needed, andincludes a small electric fan 52 for facilitating heat transfer withinthe HEM 44. As shown in FIGS. 4A-D, the valves 46 may include a 4-waymaster control valve 67, a thermal expansion valve 65, and a pluralityof on/off valves 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68, with the valves 46 selectivelycontrolled as described below with reference to FIGS. 4A-D to provide adesired heating/cooling experience.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the system 20 includes coils 28A, 28B in theseat portion 24 and back portion 22, respectively, with the coils 28A,28B defining an internal fluid passage 33. The fluid passage 33 forms aclosed-loop or self-contained fluid circuit between the FCM 26 and therespective back and seat portions 22, 24. Using the compressor 42, fluid17 such as R134a or another suitable coolant or refrigerant, is moved inliquid and/or gaseous states through the passage 33, with the state ofthe fluid 17 being dependent on the particular heating/cooling cycle.That is, when operating as a condenser the HEM 44 receives fluid 17 fromthe compressor 42 and allows heat to dissipate, whereupon the fluid 17expands via the thermal expansion valve 65 (see FIGS. 4A-D). Thetemperature of the fluid 17 is rapidly decreased. The cold fluid, whichis now at a low-pressure, is evaporated by the HEM 44 to change to agaseous state. The gaseous fluid 17 may then be compressed by thecompressor 42, and the cycle repeats.

A desired seat temperature may be selectively varied using the interface30. For example, in one embodiment the interface 30 may include anon/off switch or button 32 and temperature input devices 34 and 36 eachdedicated to controlling the temperature of a respective one of the backand seat portions 22 and 24. The interface 30 may connect to the FCM 26through a connection 21, which may be a hardwired connection or aremote/wireless link depending on the desired design. When hardwired,the length of connection 21 may be relatively short to ensure that theinterface 30 remains in close proximity to the FCM 26, or may be long soas to place the interface a distance away from the FCM 26 at aconveniently accessible position within the passenger compartment, e.g.,on an instrument panel or a shift lever. A remote/wireless link likewisewould allow the interface 30 to be positioned anywhere within thepassenger compartment 14 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the HEM 44 of FCM 26 requires a free flow of air toprovide the required heat transfer, with the airflow represented in FIG.3 by arrows A. Such airflow may be enabled by draping the FCM 26 withrespect to the seat portion 24 of FIG. 3, with air flowing into a spacebeneath the seat 16. The FCM 26 is thus adapted for stowage adjacent toa base 16C of the seat 16. Fluid 17 is allowed to flow within the coils28A, 28B as indicated by arrows B, flowing through the seat portion 24and the back portion 22 before returning to the FCM 26 forrecirculation. A self-contained or closed-loop fluid circuit is thusformed. In one embodiment, the coils 28A, 28B may be constructed of aflexible and resilient material to ensure the physical integrity andlong term durability of the coils 28A, 28B in the presence of acompressive force, i.e., a user sitting on the system 20 during its usewith the seat 16 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the system 20 may be controlled to provide a firstclimate configuration wherein both the back portion 22 and the seatportion 24 are heated. A user may utilize the interface 30 of FIGS. 2and 3 to select such an option, such as by turning the on/off switch 32to an “on” position and turning each of the devices 34, 36 to a desiredtemperature. In response to these commands the valves 60, 62, and 64 areclosed and valves 66 and 68 are opened. For simplicity, valves 60, 62,64, 66, and 68 are represented as schematic open/closed switches, andmay be embodied by any dual-state fluid control device.

The compressor 42 delivers fluid 17 at an increased temperature underpressure to the 4-way control valve 67. The valve 67 actuates to deliverthe fluid 17 to the coils 28A, 28B. The heated fluid 17 is directedthrough the passage 33 of coils 28A, 28B. After passing through the backportion 22, the fluid 17 is directed through the valve 62. The fluid 17then passes through thermal expansion valve 65 and the valve 60, rapidlydropping the pressure and temperature of the fluid 17. The now cold andprimarily gaseous fluid 17 is directed to the HEM 44, wherein anevaporating processes occurs before returning the fluid 17 to thecompressor 42 through the valve 67. The cycle repeats until the userselects a different setting using the interface 30.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the system 30 may be controlled to provide asecond climate configuration wherein the back portion 22 and the seatportion 24 are cooled. A user may utilize the interface 30 of FIGS. 2and 3 to select such an option, and in response the valves 60, 62, and64 are closed while the valves 66 and 68 are opened. The compressor 42delivers fluid 17 under pressure to the 4-way control valve 67 asbefore. However, in this embodiment the heated and high-pressure fluid17 is directed to the HEM 44 for condensing before passing through valve60 and into thermal expansion valve 67. Cool fluid 17 then passesthrough the coils 28A of the seat portion 24 and through the valve 62 tothe coils 28B of the back portion 22, thereby cooling the back portion22 and seat portion 24. After passing through the seat portion 24 andback portion 22, the fluid 17 returns to the 4-way valve 67 and iscirculated in a closed-loop until the user selects a different settingusing the interface 30.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the system 30 may be controlled to provide a thirdclimate configuration wherein the seat portion 24 is cooled and the backportion 22 is heated. A user may utilize the interface 30 of FIGS. 2 and3 to select such an option, and in response valves 60, 62, and 64 areopened, while valves 66 and 68 are closed. Fluid 17 from the compressor42 enters the 4-way valve 67 and is directed into the coils 28B of theback portion 22, thus heating the back portion. Thereafter, the warmfluid 17 passes through valve 68 and to the thermal expansion valve 65.The open valve 60 directs all fluid flow into the valve 65. Uponexpansion, the cold fluid 17 passes through coils 28A of the seatportion 24, thereby cooling the seat portion 24. The fluid 17 returns tothe compressor 42 via the 4-way valve 67 and the cycle repeats in aclosed-loop until the user selects a different setting using theinterface 30.

Referring to FIG. 4D, the system 30 may be controlled to provide afourth climate configuration wherein the seat portion 24 is heated andthe back portion 22 is cooled. A user may utilize the interface 30 ofFIGS. 2 and 3 to select such an option, and in response valves 60, 62,and 64 remain open and valves 66 and 68 remain closed. Warm fluid 17that is discharged from the compressor 42 enters the 4-way valve 67,which is actuated to direct the fluid 17 to the coils 28A of the seatportion 24, thereby heating the seat portion 24. Thereafter, the heatedfluid 17 passes through the thermal expansion valve 65 and undergoesexpansion and cooling. The open valve 60 ensures that all of the fluid17 is directed into the coils 28B of the back portion 22 through thevalve 68, thereby cooling the back portion 22. Fluid 17 then returns tothe compressor 42 though the valve 67 and the cycle repeats inclosed-loop until the user selects a different setting using theinterface 30.

While the best modes for carrying out the present invention have beendescribed in detail, those familiar with the art to which this inventionrelates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A climate control system for use with a seat, the system comprising:a first portion that is positionable adjacent to a first surface of theseat; a second portion that is positionable adjacent to a second surfaceof the seat; and a fluid control module (FCM) operable for circulating asupply of fluid within a closed-loop fluid passage within the firstportion and the second portion; wherein the FCM is adapted fordelivering the fluid to the first portion at a first temperature and tothe second portion at a second temperature, and wherein the first andsecond temperatures are independently-controllable.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, including a user interface having a pair of temperature inputdevices each adapted for controlling a temperature of a correspondingone of the first and the second portions.
 3. The system of claim 1,further comprising an energy storage device (ESD), wherein the FCMincludes a heat exchanger module (HEM) having an electric fan that iselectrically connected to the ESD and cooled thereby.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the FCM includes a miniature vapor compressor adaptedfor compressing the fluid for circulation through the closed-loop fluidpassage.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the FCM is adapted forstowage adjacent to a base of the seat.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the system is removably connected to the seat to allowportability of the system.
 7. A climate control system for use with avehicle seat, the system comprising: a back portion adapted forconnection to a back cushion of the vehicle seat; a seat portion adaptedfor connection to a seat cushion of the vehicle seat; and a fluidcontrol module (FCM) operable for circulating a supply of fluid within aclosed-loop fluid passage within the seat portion and the back portion;wherein the FCM is adapted for delivering the fluid to the first portionat a first temperature and to the second portion at a secondtemperature, and wherein each of the first and second temperatures areindependently-controllable.
 8. The system of claim 7, including a userinterface having a pair of temperature input devices each adapted forcontrolling a temperature of a corresponding one of the first and thesecond portions.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the user interface isadapted for mounting to a surface of the vehicle seat.
 10. The system ofclaim 7, further comprising an energy storage device (ESD), wherein theFCM includes a heat exchanger module (HEM) having an electric fan thatis electrically connected to the ESD and cooled thereby.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein the ESD is one of a 12-volt auxiliary power systemof the vehicle and a power pack separate from the auxiliary system. 12.The system of claim 7, wherein the FCM includes a miniature vaporcompressor adapted for compressing the fluid for circulation through theclosed-loop fluid passage.
 13. The system of claim 7, wherein the systemis removably connected to the vehicle seat to allow portability of thesystem between different vehicles.
 14. A method of cooling a seatcomprising: positioning a first portion of a climate control systemadjacent to a first surface of the seat; positioning a second portion ofthe climate control system adjacent to a second surface of the seat;using a fluid control module (FCM) to circulate a fluid within aclosed-loop fluid passage of the first portion and the second portion;and independently controlling the temperature of the first and thesecond portions using a user interface.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein positioning a first portion and a second portion of a climatecontrol system adjacent to a first surface and a second surface of theseat includes temporarily connecting a back portion and seat portion ofthe system to a respective back cushion and seat cushion of a vehicleseat.
 16. The method of claim 14, including a miniature vaporcompressor, wherein using an FCM to circulate a fluid within aclosed-loop fluid passage includes using the miniature vapor compressorto compress the fluid.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein independentlycontrolling the temperature of the first and the second portions using auser interface includes using a first control input device of theinterface to set a temperature of the first portion to a warmtemperature, and using a second control input device of the userinterface to set a temperature of the second portion to a cooltemperature.